Sunday, December 7, 2008

What the NHL should learn from European Hockey

I would like to have a contest to see which city or team in Germany (or Europe) has the best fans.  If anyone has ever attended a hockey game in Europe (I know soccer is much bigger but for the purpose of this topic and my life, I'm sticking with hockey) they will know just how loud, how passionate and how supportive the fans are here.  A team could be losing 5-0 and they never stop cheering.  The only booing that ever happens is for the refs and sometimes the other team if a penalty was bad enough or if they are trying to throw them off on a power play.  (the booing here is actually whistling).  

The stadiums have entire ends and sections blocked off for standing room only, that is where the super fans are.  They have their drums, every single one of them has a jersey and maybe 3 to 10 team scarves on and they are LOUD.  

I was at a game tonight and to be honest the atmosphere in the rink I honestly 100% believe is better and more excited then in a Stanley Cup final game.  No joke.  At least once everyone in the stands are standing up in support of their team.  Everyone has some sort of noise maker that has been handed out or left on the seats.  It is absolutely incredible.  

I would like there to be a contest where they bring the best fans from one of the teams here (even just normal fans would far outshine us "fans" back home) and bring them to an NHL game, fill half the rink with European fans and let the other half experience what it truly means to support a team wholeheartedly and to stay til the dying seconds of every game regardless of the score.  It is something I think any and every sports fan must experience.  

So for anyone traveling Europe, please pay the money (which is also 1/4 the amount of a pro game in N.A.) and check it out.  Bring your camera!

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